Expert: Tom Schott - 4/7/2009

Question
I know that Rickey Henderson holds the All-time record for lead-off home runs. Is that to start the game in the top or bottom of the 1st or anytime he lead off an inning? Also, is there a list of lead-off home runs for career? Soriano hit one yesterday and someone told me it was #50 but I don't know.
Thanks for your help in advance,
Pat

Answer
Pat,

A correction to what I just sent. The 39 lead-off home runs by Henderson were as the FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME, i.e., as the very first hitter, meaning he had to be on the visiting team. If you count the ones he hit as the lead-off hitter for the home team, his career total jumps to 82.

See: http://www.bb-ref.com/play-index/shareit/PRBF  


Counting yesterday, Soriano does indeed have 50 home runs as the leadoff hitter.

See: http://www.bb-ref.com/play-index/shareit/wYED

Sorry about that.

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Pat,

Ricky Henderson hit 39 lead-off home runs in his career. At this point in his career, that is as of yesterday, Soriano has 28, not 50.

Here is a list of all of Henderson's 297 home runs with description: http://www.bb-ref.com/play-index/shareit/FqtN

There is no list of all lead-off home runs that I know of.